Weigh in

Officials from OCTA and Caltrans will discuss the project and answer questions at a public meeting from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way in Mission Viejo.

The public also may submit written comments to Gabriela Jauregui via email at D12.5Widening@dot.ca.gov, or online at octa.net/i5comments.

Or mail letters to:

Environmental Branch, Attention Gabriela Jauregui

Department of Transportation, Environmental Planning

3347 Michelson Dr., Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612

Source: OCTA

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Transportation officials are seeking input on a proposal to widen I-5 from El Toro Road in Lake Forest to near the 73 toll road in Mission Viejo.

The Orange County Transportation Authority and Caltrans are proposing a number of improvements to accommodate a projected 25 percent increase in traffic by 2045. The most prominent change would be adding up to two lanes in each direction of I-5 from Alicia Parkway to Avery Parkway.

Construction would start in 2018. Revenue from the countywide half-percent transportation sales tax, Measure M2, would cover most of the cost, which is estimated to be from $472 million to $515 million, according to OCTA.

“This is a project that we hope will have significant benefits,” OCTA spokesman Joel Zlotnik said. “It’s important to get public feedback from residents and businesses to hear their concerns and answer their questions.”

The expansion would require the acquisition of commercial properties occupied by a pool-construction business in Lake Forest, a gas station and an auto repair and parts shop in Mission Viejo, and a gas station in Laguna Niguel, according to an environmental report.

The state-mandated report, which was released Sept. 6, analyzes the impacts of three proposals. The first proposal is to make no changes.

The second proposal is to add one lane in each direction between Avery Parkway and Alicia Parkway. That option also includes extension of the second high-occupancy lane from its current terminus at El Toro to Alicia Parkway, a major reconfiguration of the Avery Parkway and La Paz Road interchanges, and smaller improvements to several other on- and off-ramps.

The third option is the same as No. 2 with the addition of a second lane in each direction from Crown Valley Parkway to Alicia Parkway.

Feedback gathered at a Sept. 25 meeting will help transportation agency officials determine which option to build.

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